I had a dream last night that focused on a spider… eeeek I know! Spiders can be scary. The thing is that in dream interpretation even though there was a “scary spider” the spider represented something other than an actual spider. When I woke up instead of being grossed out I quickly opened my dream journal to jot down as much as I could remember then hopped on the internet to try and decode what the spider symbolized.
This is how my subconscious and the Divine (God/Universe/Higher Power) speak to me. They send me messages through my dreams. Unfortunately spirit guides don’t just walk into our waking lives talking to us and pointing out what we need to do in order for us to evolve as humans. Instead, they are crafty little artists that speak through symbolism with dreams, animals, physical signs, and other strange means of communication- that are completely indirect and humans must interpret.
I’ve been interpreting my own dreams for a few years now. It has taken quite a bit of practice, imagination, && intuition to really understand the fundamentals. How did I feel in the dream? Did any colors stand out? Who was there and what were they doing? Where does it take place? What point of view am I watching my dream? To me it’s similar to a painting. It’s like being in a museum and standing in front of the Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck and trying to figure out what the painter was trying to say without using any words. That’s exactly what dream interpretation is like- all symbolism.
In my dream I was in my bathroom and the spider was inside my shower hanging from its web on a thread. I flicked it (Why? I’m not sure…), but the spider chaotically swung back && forth. I got nervous, but was feeling like I would only freak out if the spider touched me. Amidst the spider swinging around (probably pissed off that I fucked with it when it was just minding it's own business) I was never scared of the spider. I also didn’t have any intention of killing it.
The first couple of articles that came up about spider dreams were from PsychCentral and Dreams. The key words that stood out to me the most were - creativity, patience, and mother. The other key symbolism that stood out to me was that I was in my bathroom - a place of cleansing && purification. I noticed the color of the white marble (I've had dreams in other bathrooms that weren't mine so this definitely is significant to me). My emotions were of the restless kind - nervous && anxious. All things that ring a bell in my waking life.
I’ve already described my creativity && desire to express myself as an “opening of Pandora’s Box.” Essentially I had lived a life with so many restrictions && boundaries as an engineer that when I was able to express myself artistically it just came out like a chaotic whirlwind of a tornado. Writing, fashion, dancing, sketching, learning to DJ… my heart && brain just kept following where the wind blew. I let myself explore. It lifted my little Pisces Moon spirit.
I’ve received harsh criticism and still continue to do so. “You’re spreading yourself too thin.” “You’ll never be a good DJ if you don’t practice more.” “Why can’t you focus on your writing only?” “Why are you even doing YouTube?” "What's your backup plan?"
"RUDE!
Need to go!
Bye!!!!"
(That was all said just like Bon Qui Qui hand and all. See minute 1:00 for scene.)
I don’t need those kinds of comments or judgment. Either support me in every aspect by saying “cool do you” or please stfu. If you aren’t an artist yourself that has had the balls to step out on the world’s stage then I politely ask you to sit your ass down in the audience or kindly leave. Thank you. Gracias. Have a good day.
This artist's journey was the result of an extremely difficult decision that had been made- to leave engineering and pursue an artistic career full-time. I’ve gotten asked why can’t I do both engineering for income and all my art as a hobby on the side? Well first of all I’m burned out of engineering. I don’t care if I got a quarter of a mil to go back… it’s a no. Why? Going to a cubicle or 9-5 job sounds like a prison sentence to me. I can’t. I'm not being facetious when I say "Do you just want me to slit my wrists now?" I don't want to live that life... so would life even be worth living? Nope. I was an empty shell. A robot. A person who would get yelled at to work faster yet I was already doing the work of 3 persons all while getting underpaid... because of course I was born with a vagina.
Labor has always been taken advantage of especially since the industrial revolution unfortunately. Unless you are the boss, you are essentially at the end of a whip. A SLAVE. Always getting paid the bare minimum while the business owners are enjoying a nice steak lunch on the company's dime.
I am a big believer that you have to close one door in order for the next one to open. If I were to hang on to engineering it would just be some floating safety device helping keep my head above water. I need to learn how to swim. That requires me to let go and tread the unknown. I have to give it my all. Art isn't a hobby to me. It's now who I am. It's my identity. It's my purpose. It's my new "career."
This leads me into wanting to discuss my journey as a DJ. Where am I? How do I feel about it?
Well… I honestly haven’t learned much. I have to clean the dust off every time I practice. I’m not being hard on myself because I have seen progress. My progress is that I haven’t given up! There was a statistic I read on Instagram somewhere that said most people who buy their DJ equipment give up in 6-8 months. I’ve made it past one hurdle so what’s the next one?
I need to perform. If I don’t have anything lined up this DJ’ing is just going to turn into me cycling through spurts of “meh” practice. On the other hand, if I have a performance then my Virgo in Midheaven is not going to want to look like an idiot in front of an audience so I will prepare and practice. I don’t take anything lightly. I don’t care if I’m performing for 1 person. I am going to do my absolute best.
December 5th, 2024.
That’s supposedly the date of my first time ever playing a little 30-minute set in front of people. Am I prepared? Barely… but I have time! This is making my lazy Taurus ass get out of bed. It’s SO HARD to get a Taurus up to do something, but when they do the energy genuinely goes full force. You can’t stop a charging bull when it’s on a mission. Get the fuck out of the way if anything because you could get yourself killed!
Don’t even get me started on having Jupiter in Aries in the 5th house. That is a very expansive energy found in the universe as Steven Forrest put it. He claims it’s along the lines of nuclear power. You have a fire triplicity with all 3 energies - Jupiter (Ruler of Sagittarius) in the sign of Aries (Ruled by Mars) in the 5th House (Where Leo lives).
That’s why my art entails intellect and innovation. I’m a trailblazer as an Aries. I seek to try things no one has done before. I don’t want to do what everyone is doing… including headlining a major music festival such as Coachella. Don’t get me wrong.. If Coachella asked Elektra Flora to perform or speak at their event then of course I would entertain the idea. I just want to make it clear that I don’t see my artwork as having the ultimate goal of headlining festivals. That’s just not me.
I’m not claustrophobic, but I realized a DJ booth reminds me too much of a cubicle. Also people hate when DJ’s “talk too much.” It’s also hard for me to stay focused and I like to orbit in the middle of DJ’ing. Do you see how I’m already starting to understand what I do and don’t like? I was only able to reach those conclusions after my experimentation. After doing research. After trying all this out. I’m proud of myself. I don’t want to be a cookie cutter DJ. No disrespect to those who have those dreams of headlining fests or being residents at clubs… I support you! There’s a place for everyone in music. We need variety!
For me that type of performance is just “not enough.” I know… how blasé. I came this far to say that I actually “don’t want to be a DJ.”
Nahhh…you see this experience has helped me grow. I learned that I still want to DJ but in a different way. I still see myself behind decks just not the way we typically see it right now. It’s hard for me to elaborate because I am a dreamer and I don’t want to give away all my ideas. Elektra Flora is a concept and project. She is something bigger than herself. It encompasses music, writing, learning, exploring, && breaking down boundaries. You just have to give her time to develop her artistry. This doesn’t happen overnight.
What IS my artwork && Where to Find Me?
www.elektraflora.com - My website and blog. No ads and full creative freedom. This really should be the basis of who Elektra Flora is and I need to make it the priority. I love being able to build, design, and manage the website. It’s the STEM nerd in me. With my blog posts I am able to express myself in different mediums whether it’s writing itself, videos I made, or photographs. This is my home base.
YouTube - I was hesitant at first and only started my YouTube as an experiment. Come to find out I genuinely do love making videos and want to make more. My next step is the need to refine my content and balance with livestreaming so audiences aren't getting the same kind of thoughts from the livestream in a regurgitated manner.
DJ’ing - I want to continue on this journey, but in my own way. I honestly don’t have the goal of performing in clubs or music festivals. I am working on developing how I can continue to incorporate music throughout ALL of my art and also have the ability to dictate/curate music when I am able in different types of spaces. I want to create new spaces.
Writing - There genuinely is a book in me.… it’s just not ready to be written just yet. I also write poems and lyrics because I hope to one day to make my own music. I’d rather have a fat stack of inspiration for when that time comes rather than showing up empty handed.
Fashion - Styling outfits and promoting ethical/small/unique brands. I'm SO OVER FAST FASHION especially in the music festival scene. It's ruining our planet and people can't develop a sense of style when they are wearing cheaply made fits that last 1-2 wears. I re-wear a lot of my outfits because I'm trying to show sustainability. Please stop buying a brand new outfit for every event for each day. It's excessive. I also am trying to promote how to keep textiles out of the landfill.
Sketching - This is new to me and I’m looking for the perfect medium. I want to replace all of the artwork and logos seen in association with Elektra Flora to be original artworks by me. Just like my more intimate writings I’m keeping these to myself until the time is right.
Dancing//Orbiting - Fun fact is my "Dancing Angel" asteroid is tightly conjunct my Virgo midheaven with <1° orb. I've always loved dancing since I was a kid and my first class being tap. I then went into cheerleading and while I was in college I took classes on ballet, modern, and belly dancing. I used to joke that the orbit was my emotional support orbit carrying it with me even when I had no intentions of using it. Now-a-days I use the orbit to capture attention, perform, and make art. It has helped me express myself on so many levels and I am so grateful to have found this type of art that feels so natural to me. I've also really enjoyed developing my own style. If you were to ask another orbiter for a light show their vibe would most likely be completely different than mine. I love the individuality!!
Twitch - I enjoy live-streaming because I enjoy connecting with people. I have realized that there is an art to conversation and keeping people entertained. I do enjoy not having a script and the ability to be 100% completely spontaneous. My show "Discovering Discipline && Finding Freedom" originally was supposed to be 7 days a week and yes that was too ambitious for me. I cut it down to 3 days a week and I pray that the other Gods I left out are just happy with me celebrating some of them rather than none of them! I celebrate those that are not reflected in my show on my own time - Moon (self-care), Mercury (communication), Mars (physical activity), && Saturn (planning//structure).
What is NOT my art?
Instagram - I need to take a break. That app was designed to suck people in and it does it to me every single time I’m on there. I hate it and I hate myself when I lose hours in scroll holes. I NEED TO STOP. Instagram is not me. I got on there to promote my work but it should not be my work. I need to delete for a bit and redirect.
Radiate - This is where some of my audience does come from because it is an app within the music festival community.
Pinterest - This was heavily pushed on me during a blogger’s bootcamp. I need it for exposure and I do know it will help me develop my aesthetic and brand.
I refuse- Facebook && TikTok. Those are just not authentic to me in any aspect. Sorry not sorry. I just joined Substack a few days ago. I have no comment about that platform because I'm too new. I am hoping to connect with more intellects though.
Just like the spider in my dream swaying back && forth uncontrollably, my art is swaying around uncontrollably. I am trying so hard to just grasp onto something stable and say “this is my art” “this is me,” but unfortunately it’s still in R&D phase. Once I let the chaotic energy dissipate I can go back to “spinning my web” in an orderly and logical fashion.
Until then…please enjoy my art tornado.
Please take a moment to slow down, rest, reflect, && be grateful. Embrace the present. <333
I am sending lots of light && love to all!
xo,
Elektra Flora
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